Process of and apparatus for treating the refuse of starch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

w. T. JEBB. PROCESS-0F AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE REFUSE 0F STARGH, &c.

No. 263,525. Patented Aug. 29, 1882.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. T. JEBB.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE REFUSE 0P STARGH, &o. No. 263,525. Patented Aug 29, 1.882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. JEBB, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE REFUSE 0F STARCH, 84c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 263,525, dated August 29, 1882.

Application filed July '12, 1882. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM T. JEBB, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Process ot'and Apparatus for Treating the Refuse of Starch and other Substances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the treatment of the wet refuse or offal which results from the operation of extracting starch from Indian corn or other grain by the wet process.

In treating grain for the purpose of extracting those of its constituent parts which are useful for manufacturing starch, grape-sugar, glucose, spirits, and the like, the grain is first softened by steeping and then ground with water. The ground material is then passed over suitable sieves to separatethe bran,hulls, skins, and other coarse parts from the crude "starch. This coarse offal, consisting principally of fragments of the covering and outer layers of the kernels of grain,ferments rapidly in warm weather, and becomes thereby unfit for use as food for animals.

Theobject of this invention is to thoroughly remove the moisture from the offal, thereby preserving it in a condition in which it can be stored for a considerable length of time or be shipped to distant markets without deteriorating, and also to improve the appearance and the nutritive value of the offal.

My invention consists, to that end, in the hereinafter-described process of preparingthis offal for food for animals, which consists principally in first separatingthebulkof the moisture from the solid portions of the ofl'al by pressure, then removing the remaining moisture by heat, and then regrinding the offal, whereby a uniform product of even grain and appearance is produced; also, in intimately mixing the reground offal with ground grain, whereby the product is rendered more nutritious and palatable to theanirnals; also, in the peculiarconst'ruction of the drying apparatus, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a partly-sectional elevation, showing a train of machinery which may be employed in carryingout my improved process. Fig. 2 is a horizontal vertical section of the drier. Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sections thereof in lines an ac and y y, Fig. 2, re-

spectively. Fig. 5 isa cross-section in line 2 2, on an enlarged scale.

Like letters of reference refer to in the several figures.

A represents a machine whereby the moisture is separated from the ofi'al by pressure. A squeezing-machine of any ordinary and wellknown construction or any suitable hydraulic or other press may be employed for this purpose.

The squeezing-machine represented in the drawings is provided with three pairs of horizontal rollers, a a a between which passes an endless-apron, b, which is constructed of wire-cloth or other perforated or reticulated material, and which runs over pulleys B. Motion is imparted to the pulleys B and rollersa a a by suitable gear-wheels. The wet offal is delivered upon the apron b in frontof the rolllike parts ers a a a by a spout, c. The movementofthe apron carries the ofi'al successively between the pairs of rollers a a ad, by which the bulk of the moisture is pressed out of the offal. The moisture is collected in a receptacle, 0,

underneath the 10llBIS, and the ofl'al is discharged from the, tail of theendless aproninto a hopper or receptacle, 1). The first and second pairs of rollers, a a, are preferably covered with india-rubber or other yielding or elastic material, and the third pair of rollers, a are preferably constructed of rigid materialfor instance, chilled cast-iron.

E represents the drying apparatus in which the remaining moisture is removed from the offal by heat. Any suitable drier may be used for this purpose; but I prefer to employ a drier of the construction shown in the drawings. This drier is provided with a rotating cylindrical steam-jacket, f, through which the grain passes, and which rests upon rollers f, one or more of which are turned by gear-wheels, whereby the proper rotative movement is imparted to the cylindrical jacket f.

g represents the steam-supply pipe whereby steam is conducted to the drier. This pipe is stationary and connects by means of a steamtight stuffiug-box with a rotating pipe, g, secured to the upper or head end of the cylinder f. The latter is sufficiently inclined from end to end to cause the material to travel through it with the proper velocity.

The pipe 9 is provided with two or more branches, which conduct the steam into the spacef between the double walls of the steam-- jacketf.

Thetail end ot'the cylinderfis provided with a hollow head, H, whose interior communicates with the steanrspace f between the double walls of the cylinderf.

The head His arranged at a suitable distance from the rear end of the eylinderf, so as to leave openings h between the cylinder f and the head H of sufficient size to insure the full discharge of the dried material from and the free ingress ofair to the interior of the cylinderf. The head H is connected with the steam-space of the jacketf by short tubes h.

I represents steam-pipes arranged diametrically or otherwise in the cylinderfin such manner as to extend through the open interior space of the cylinder and communicate with the steam-spacef between the double walls of the cylinderf. The pipesI are preferably arranged alternately at right angles to each other, as shown in the drawings. These pipes furnish a very large heating-surface, and increase thereby the etticiency of the drier, and they also operate as stays and render the cyliuderf very strong and rigid.

j represents the pipe through which the water resulting from the condensation of steam is discharged from the drier. This pipe is stationary, and depends with its inner end into the head I1 and reaches nearly to the lowest point of the steam-space of the drier.

The head 11 is provided with a stufling-box which turns on the pipej.

For the purpose of repeatedly elevating and dropping the material in passing through the cylinder f, the inner surface of the latter is provided with strips or buckets J, arranged lengthwise of the cylinder at proper distances apart, as shownin the drawings, or, if preferred, the inner wall of the cylinder f may be corrugated lengthwise, so that the corrugations operate as buckets to elevate the material.

M represents a casing which incloses the cylinderf, and which is provided with inlet-openings on near the head of the cylinderf. The opposite end of the casing M is closed to compel the air which enters atm and passes through the space bet-ween the cylinderfand the easing M to pass through the opening it into the interior of the cylinder f. The air becomes heated by contact with the outer surface of the cylinder before it reaches the opening h.

N represents a suction-fan or other suitable device, which is connected with the interior of the cylinder f, so as to draw an air-current through the same in a direction opposite to that in which the material to be dried passes through the same.

As shown in the drawings, the higher end of the cylinderfis provided with a hood, a, which is stationary and fitted against the end of the cylinder by means of an elastic ring or other suitable means, which forms a practically airtightjoint. The hood n terminates in a tube, a, which connects with a chess-hopper, O, in which the air-current is weakened, thereby permitting the heavy and valuable particles carried 011' by the air-current to drop out of the current. These particles are collected in the chess hopper O and automatically discharged from the same from time to time, in a well-known manner, through an opening provided with a flap-valve. The chess-hopper is connected with the eye of the fan by a tube, 0.

0 represents a hopper, which receives the dried material escapingfrom the openings h at the rear end of the cylinder/l The material to be dried passes in a continuous stream from the hopper 1) into the upper or head end of the drier-cylinder, the hopper D being provided with a feed-roller, t, or some other suitable device, whereby the feed is rendered uniform. The material entering the cylinderf falls upon the heated inner surface of the latter and becomes heated by contact with the same. It is elevated by the buckets or corrugations of the cylinder until said buckets or corrugations assume an inclination, which causes the material to slide off, when it falls through the heated aircurrent passing through the cylinderf, part of the material falling upon and sliding over the tubes I, which continually change their inclination as the cylinder rotates. This operation is repeated a great many times while the material remains in the cylinder and eifects a perfect drying of the material. The material is so elevatcd and permitted to drop until it reaches the rear end of the cylinderf, from which it escapes through the openings it into the hopper The cylinder is made of such length and is so inclined that the material will be perfectly dry when it reaches the openings h. The corrugations form a large heating-surface, and as both the outer and inner surfaces of the cylinderf are utilized as heating-surfaces, the steam is employed very economically.

The dried ofi'al passes from the receptacle to a suitable receiving-bin, from which it is fed to a grinding, crushing, or disintegrating mill, P, of any suitable and well-known construction, whereby the material is reduced to a uniform degree of fineness, so that no large flakes or scales appear in the same. The bin 0 may be provided with an additional discharge-spout, so that a portion of its contents may be filled directly into bags or barrels, if so desired. The ground ofl'al is collected in a hopper or receptacle, Q, and may be sold in this condition; or it may be mixed with ground Indian corn orother suitable grain as follows:

E represents a grinding, crushing, or disintegrating mill in which Indian corn or any other suitable grain which it is desired to mix with the ground ofl'al is ground to about the same degree of fineness.

IIS

S represents a hopper or receptacle which receives the ground grain from the mill R.

T represents a mixing-machine of any suitable construction, which receives both the ground offal and the ground grain from the receivers Q, and S, respectively, in the proportion in which it is desired to mix these ingredients, the discharge-spouts of the receivers Q and S being provided with suitable slides or other devices whereby the discharge of the material can be regulated.

Any suitable mixing-machine may be employed for mixing the ingredients; but I prefer to use for this purpose a disintegrating-machine provided with several concentric rows of heaters revolving; in opposite directions in an inclosing case which has a feed-opening at or near its center and a discharge-spout at its periphery.

The ground grain and offal are simultaneously delivered into the central feed-opening of the mixing-machine T and become thoroughly mixed while passing through the same, and are finally discharged therefrom as a uniform product and delivered directly into barrels or boxes for shipment, or into suitable storage bins or receptacles. 1f preferred, the whole grain may be delivered directlyinto the mill in which the offal is regronnd and be ground with the same, and in that case the mixing-machine T maybe omitted; but I prefer to employ a separate mill for grinding the whole grain and the mixing-machine, as specified.

The addition of the ground whole grain to the ground offal increases the nutritive value of the offal, renders it more palatable to the animals, and at the same time improves its appearance. The feed so produced can be stored for a considerable period of time or be shipped to distant markets in warm or cold weather without fermenting or otherwise deteriorating.

I claim as my invention- 1. The herein-described process of preparing wet grain-oifal for use as food for animals, which consists in first separating the bulk of the moisture from the offal by pressure, then removing the remaining moisture by heat,and then regriuding, crushing, or disintegrating the dried offal to a substantially-uniform degree of fineness.

2. The herein-described process of preparing wet grain-oifal for use as food for animals, which consists in first separating the bulk of the moisture by pressure, then removing the remaining moisture by heat, and then grinding the dried offal and mixing itwith ground grain, substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for preparing wet grainrefuse for use as food for animals, the combination of an apparatus, A, whereby the bulk of the moisture is separated from the offal by pressure, a drier, E, in which the remaining moisture is removed by heat, and a mill, P, in which the dried offal is reground, substantially as set forth.

4. In an apparatus for preparing wet grainrefuse for use as food for animals, the combination of an apparatus, A, whereby the bulk of the moisture is separated from the offal by pressure, a drier, E, in which the remaining moisture is removed by heat,a mill,P,in which the dried offal is reground, and a mixing-machine, T, in which the reground offal is mixed with ground grain, substantially as set forth.

5. In a drier, a rotating hollow cylinder, f, constructed with double walls,formingasteainspace, f between them, and provided with means whereby the material to be dried is repeatedly elevated and dropped in said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

6. In a drier, a rotating hollow eylinder,f, constructed with double walis, forming a steamspace,f and transverse steam-pipes I, communicating at theirends with said steam-space, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a rotating cylinder, provided with a steam-space,f head H, and openings it, formed between the cylinder and the head II, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a rotating cylinder, f, provided with a steain-space.f head H, openings h, and discharge-pipe j, having its depending end arranged in the head H, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a rotating cylinder, f, provided with a steam-space,f head H, and pipes I, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with the cylinderf, provided with a steam-space, f and openings through which thedried material is discharged, of a casing, M, inclosing the cylinderf, and means whereby an air-current is drawn along the outer side of the cylinder and through the interior thereof,substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM '1. JEBB.

Witnesses:

JNO. J. BONNER, EDW. J. BRADY. 

